Stop degazetting forest reserves — CEIA tells govt

The Centre for Environmental Impact Analysis (CEIA) has called on the Ghanaian government to halt the degazetting of forest reserves, particularly Globally Significant Biodiversity Areas (GSBAs) in the Western Region, for logging purposes. CEIA argues that such actions contradict environmental justice principles and undermine the country's permanent forest estate.

Dr. Samuel Obiri, Executive Director of CEIA, stated that granting exploration rights to companies operating within protected areas, including forest reserves, strict nature reserves, national parks, and wildlife sanctuaries, is problematic. He highlighted that mining activities in these zones contravene the National Land Policy (1999), which prohibits clearing primary forest cover for mining. These protected lands are designated for ecosystem maintenance, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable timber production.

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to ensure the conservation of environmental quality, no land with primary forest cover will be cleared for the purpose of establishing a forest or tree crop plantation or mining activity.

CEIA also questions the capacity of mining companies to adequately rehabilitate degraded forest reserves in line with tropical ecosystem best practices. Dr. Obiri urged the government to cease issuing permits for mining in forest reserves, describing these policies as contradictory. He advocated for a moratorium on all surface mining leases and permits nationwide.

This pause, according to CEIA, would enable a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis that considers the social, economic, cultural, and environmental impacts of mining. Dr. Obiri also touched upon climate change, noting Ghana's vulnerability to its effects and emphasizing that activities like deforestation and improper waste disposal contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. He stressed the need for Ghana to join global efforts to combat climate change drivers, warning that rising global temperatures are already exceeding targets, evidenced by rising sea levels, wildfires, and heatwaves.

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Inspired by Nature for Climate for Our Future.